Sleeve Wallet

ABSTRACT

A wallet for the carrying of credit cards, identification cards, or other forms of cards, or cash, coins, or other forms of money. The wallet includes a sleeve that can receive cards or money. The sleeve can expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how many cards and how much money is added or removed. The wallet can include woven strands and can be made of a wide range of materials. The sleeve can enclose one or more layers of composite or veneer that provides additional structure to the wallet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of carrying devices. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of wallets and billfolds intended for the carrying of credit cards, identification cards, or other forms of cards, or cash, coins, or other forms of money. Wallets can be slim to minimize their size but this limits the amount that they can contain. Wallets can also be fat to increase the amount that they can contain but this comes at an increased size. Wallets are limited to being either slim or fat without the ability to change from one type to the other and therefore have the shortcoming of leaving the user with a limited ability to increase and decrease the number or amount of credit cards, identification cards, or other forms of cards, or cash, coins, or other forms of money carried by the wallet with a corresponding change in the size of the wallet. There has been a long-felt need for an improved wallet to replace separate slim wallets and fat wallets with a single wallet that can change between being a slim wallet and a fat wallet as cards or money are added or removed while still having a sleek, classy look.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wallet for the carrying of credit cards, identification cards, or other forms of cards, or cash, coins, or other forms of money. The wallet includes a sleeve that can receive cards or money. The sleeve can expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how many cards or how much money is added or removed. The present invention responds to the long-felt need, by providing in embodiments, the wallet including the sleeve that can expand or grow and tighten or shrink as cards or money are added or removed to provide a single wallet that can change between being a slim wallet and a fat wallet while still having a sleek, classy look.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the wallet;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the wallet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the wallet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the wallet;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wallet of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wallet of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the first embodiment in more detail, in FIGS. 1-3 there is shown a wallet 10 having one or more layers of a composite or veneer 12, the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 being surrounded by a sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 of the wallet 10 having a first end 14 which surrounds the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12, the sleeve 20 having a bottom portion 22 at the bottom of the wallet 10 and the sleeve 20 having a second end 16 which can be inside the sleeve 20. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 include a side edge 24 that can contact an inside of the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 being formed of a plurality of strands 18.

In more detail, referring to the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the wallet 10 is for the carrying of credit cards, identification cards, or other forms of cards, or cash, coins, or other forms of money. The wallet 10 can receive cards or money inside the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 can expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how many cards and how much money is added or removed. The ability of the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink results from the configuration of the strands 18. The strands 18 are woven in a pattern across the length of the sleeve 20. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 20 is a braided biaxial sleeve 20 in which the strands 18 are woven. The braided biaxial sleeve 20 of woven strands 18 allows the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink because of their ability to reorient relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 20 is formed by having the strands 18 in a twill weave pattern. In another embodiment, the weave pattern may be a plain weave pattern or may alternate between twill weave and plain weave patterns. In another embodiment, the weave pattern can be one other than twill or plain weave. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 provides additional structure to the wallet 10 while also providing a surface along which the cards or money can slide as they are being added to or removed from the wallet 10. The first end 14 of the sleeve 20 surrounds the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 and provides a top ridge that helps to direct the cards or money into the sleeve 20. During the initial assembly the sleeve 20 is folded in on itself (i.e. a portion is turned inside out) such that the opposite ends of the sleeve 20 can overlap. The first end 14 of the sleeve is formed where the sleeve 20 does a U-turn in on itself. The sleeve 20 is folded in on itself again to form the bottom portion 22. The second end 16 of the sleeve is formed where what were initially the opposite ends of the sleeve 20 subsequently overlap after the sleeve 20 is folded in on itself. The second end 16 of the sleeve 20 can be located in between two layers of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12. The second end 16 helps to secure the sleeve 20 to the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12. The second end 16 can be attached to the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 or the second end 16 can be held in place merely through friction with the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12.

The assembly details of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 are that the sleeve 20 can be made of a wide range of materials, including but not limited to carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, plastic, polyester, nylon, or other materials, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the sleeve 20 can further include an RFID blocking material to help protect the user from having the identification information contained in Radio Frequency ID tags from being stolen through the use of electronic readers and scanners. In a preferred embodiment, the strands 18 are of a 3K thickness. Alternatively, the strands 18 may be of a 1K, 6K or 12K thickness. The thickness of the strands 18 may be increased or decreased to optimize the aesthetic appearance, strength, or slimness of the wallet 10. The sleeve 20 may be untreated or treated such that it can be purely made of the sleeve 20 material or can be a composite and include additional constituents.

The woven strands 18 of the sleeve 20 provide considerable durability while relatively freely allowing the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink. However, when an epoxy resin is applied, the strands 18 are locked into place relative to each other, making the sleeve 20 stiff and eliminating the ability of the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink. Through great effort and experimentation the inventors have discovered that there are ways to treat the sleeve 20 such that it becomes a composite while retaining the ability to expand or grow and tighten or shrink relatively freely while also achieving even greater durability. One way of achieving this is to coat the sleeve 20 with a mixture of a flexible adhesive and a thinning agent. Specifically, the inventors have found the flexible adhesive by LOCTITE and marketed as VINYL, FABRIC & PLASTIC FLEXIBLE ADHESIVE is highly effective when thinned with the solvent methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). The flexible adhesive tends to have a high viscosity and accordingly, the thinning of the flexible adhesive with a 50/50 mixture of MEK has been effective for achieving a viscosity low enough to be conducive to application to the sleeve 20, such as by spraying or dipping. However, mixtures with a lower ratio of MEK would provide for faster curing by reducing the amount of MEK that would need to be evaporated off after application to the sleeve. Alternatively, mixtures with a higher ratio of MEK may provide for faster application rates when using spraying. Another way of achieving this is to coat the sleeve 20 with clear coat. Specifically, the inventors have also found that clear coat by DUPLI-COLOR and marketed as PAINT SHOP FINISH SYSTEM GLOSS CLEAR COAT provides for a low cost coating that can provide the desired functionality. The coating of the sleeve 20 can be cured through the use of heat, ultraviolet light, UV light, or through ambient air. The coating of the sleeve 20 can be done either through spraying or through dipping and can be done for the entire length of the sleeve 20 or only a portion of the sleeve 20. In either case, the amount can be varied to best fit the particular configuration for coating the sleeve.

The sealing of the ends of the sleeve 20 can be achieved using a resin or adhesive or other material. An epoxy resin has been found to be effective for this purpose. Additionally, the use of a flexible adhesive such as the adhesive described above has also been found to be effective. Through great effort and experimentation, the inventors have also discovered that there are ways to treat a part or all of the sleeve 20 such that it becomes a composite while retaining the flexibility desired for the wallet 10. A way of achieving this is to coat at least a portion of the sleeve 20, generally the second end 16 where fraying is most likely to occur, with a mixture of a multi-purpose rubber coating and a thinning agent. Additionally, the first end 14 and the bottom portion 22 could also be coated. More specifically, it has been discovered that a highly effective way to secure the second end 16 of the wallet 10 is to use the multi-purpose rubber coating by PERFORMIX and marketed as PLASTI DIP. The multi-purpose rubber coating can have a high viscosity but can be thinned with a thinning agent, in particular the solvent VM & P Naphtha has been found to be compatible with the multi-purpose rubber coating for the purpose of coating at least a portion of the sleeve 20. The sealing of the ends of the sleeve 20 can be cured through the use of heat, ultraviolet light, UV light, or through ambient air.

The wallet 10 can include one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 made of a wide range of materials, including but not limited to carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, metal, plastic, polyester, nylon, or other materials, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can have a coating, such as a clear coat added before or after assembly into a component of the wallet 10 and can have a glossy or matte finish. The coating of the composite or veneer 20 can be cured through the use of heat, ultraviolet light, UV light, or through ambient air. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can be formed of strands of fiber held together using a resin, adhesive, multi-purpose rubber coating, or other material. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can be a layer formed of a plurality of materials or a single material (e.g. rubber, elastic, metal, or plastic). In another embodiment, the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can further include an RFID blocking material to help protect the user from having the identification information contained in Radio Frequency ID tags from being stolen through the use of electronic readers and scanners. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can have a size that corresponds to the size of the cards or money. In one embodiment, the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can have a size of 2⅛ inches or 2.125 inches in width. Alternatively, the size can be within the range of 1⅝ inches and 2⅝ inches or within the range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches in width. In one embodiment, the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can have a size of 3 11/16 inches or 3.6875 inches in length. Alternatively, the size can be within the range of 2 inches and 5 inches in length. Alternatively, the size can be less than 2 inches or greater than 5 inches in length. Preferably, the size of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 is about 2⅛ inches or 2.125 inches in width. This width tends to provide an aesthetically appealing appearance because it generally conforms to the width of credit cards, identification cards, and other forms of cards and tends to provide greater security when holding the cards. Preferably, the size of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 is about 3 11/16 inches or 3.6875 inches in length. This length tends to provide an aesthetically appealing appearance because it provides a perceivable portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 above the length of credit cards, identification cards, and other forms of cards while also providing a path on which at least some of the cards can slide when being added. The thickness of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can be about 0.01 inches, but could also be less than 0.01 inches for improved thinness and slimness of the wallet or greater than 0.01 inches for improved strength and durability. Alternatively, the thickness of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can be within the range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches. While the preferred overall size or dimension has been described, it would be obvious to try different sizes, dimensions, or shapes to better accommodate the different sizes, dimensions, or shapes of cards or money.

Referring now to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the wallet 10 is shown in an exploded view for greater detail on its assembly. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 is shown as two layers with the top portion being attached and the lower portion being capable of opening. The lower portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 can open to receive the second end 16 of the sleeve 20 therein. The first end 14 of the sleeve 20 receives the lower portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 therein.

Referring now to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the wallet 10 is shown in a perspective view of the bottom of the wallet 10. The sleeve 20 of the wallet 10 includes the bottom portion 22 which forms the bottom of the wallet 10. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 22 is formed by having the sleeve 20 folded into a U-turn. In another embodiment, the bottom portion 22 forms an opening that can also receive cards or money. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 22 can receive cash such as a dollar bill that has been folded twice. The one or more layers of composite or veneer 12 includes a side edge 24 which comes into contact with the sleeve 20 and helps to give the wallet 10 its form.

The advantages of the first embodiment include, without limitation, the ability of the sleeve 20 of the wallet 10 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how many cards and how much money is added or removed. The wallet 10 can thus be slim or fat depending on how many cards or how much money is added or removed. The ability of the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink provides a sleeker and a more classy look to the wallet 10. The slimness of the wallet 10 also helps to reduce back problems for users who place the wallet 10 in a back pocket (not shown) while also making it easier to place the wallet 10 in a front pocket or a shirt pocket (not shown). The wallet 10 also provides for a simplified construction that does not require sewing but rather can be achieved through the use of adhesives, resins, glues, multi-purpose rubber coatings, rivets, and other ways for attaching the components of the wallet 10. The construction of the wallet 10 can specifically exclude the sewing or stitching of any part of the wallet 10.

The ability of the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink can be achieved without the use of elastic or the stretching of the strands 18. In particular, materials such as carbon fiber and para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR have an elongation at break of below 4% while polyester has an elongation at break of below 25%. For example, strands of para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR 29 will have an elongation at break of 3.6% with a breaking strength of 76 pounds. Strands of para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR 49 will have an elongation at break ratio of 2.4% with a breaking strength of 59.3 pounds. The sleeve 20 when made of a para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR can expand or grow and tighten or shrink over a diameter range of about 1 inch or less to about 2.75 inches or more when initially formed as a sleeve having a diameter of 1.5 inches, thus its diameter can increase or decrease by about 50% from the original diamater. This functionality can be achieved through the braided biaxial nature of the sleeve 20 of woven strands 18 which allows the sleeve 20 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink because of the ability of the strands 18 to reorient relative to each other. This functionality can be achieved without stretching the strands 18.

Referring now to the second embodiment in more detail, in FIGS. 4-6 there is shown a wallet 110 having a sleeve 120. The sleeve 120 of the wallet 110 having a first end 114 which surrounds a second end 116, the sleeve 120 having a bottom portion 122 at the bottom of the wallet 110. The sleeve 120 being formed of a plurality of strands 118.

In more detail, referring to the second embodiment of FIG. 4, the wallet 110 is for the carrying of credit cards, identification cards, or other forms of cards, or cash, coins, or other forms of money. The wallet 110 can receive cards or money inside the sleeve 120. The sleeve 120 can expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how many cards and how much money is added or removed. The ability of the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink results from the configuration of the strands 118. The strands 118 are woven in a pattern across the length of the sleeve 120. In an embodiment, the sleeve 120 is a braided biaxial sleeve 120 in which the strands 118 are woven. The braided biaxial sleeve 120 of woven strands 118 allows the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink because of their ability to reorient relative to each other. In an embodiment, the sleeve 120 is formed by having the strands 118 in a twill weave pattern. In another embodiment, the weave pattern may be a plain weave pattern or may alternate between twill weave and plain weave patterns. In another embodiment, the weave pattern can be one other than twill or plain weave.

During the initial assembly the sleeve 120 is folded in on itself (i.e. a portion is turned inside out) such that the opposite ends of the sleeve 120 can overlap. The first end 114 of the sleeve is formed where the sleeve 120 does a U-turn in on itself. The sleeve 120 is folded in on itself again to form the bottom portion 122. The second end 116 of the sleeve is formed by folding one layer over onto another layer, where the layers are what were initially the opposite ends of the sleeve 120 that subsequently overlap after the sleeve 120 is folded in on itself. The second end 116 of the sleeve 120 extends from within the first end 114. The sleeve 120 can at least partially contain layers of RFID blocking material which can extend from the second end 116 to the bottom portion 122 and/or the first end 114 to the bottom portion 122.

The assembly details of the invention as shown in FIG. 4 are that the sleeve 120 can be made of a wide range of materials, including but not limited to carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, plastic, polyester, nylon, or other materials, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the sleeve 120 can further include an RFID blocking material to help protect the user from having the identification information contained in Radio Frequency ID tags from being stolen through the use of electronic readers and scanners. In a preferred embodiment, the strands 118 are of a 3K thickness. Alternatively, the strands 118 may be of a 1K, 6K or 12K thickness. The thickness of the strands 118 may be increased or decreased to optimize the aesthetic appearance, strength, or slimness of the wallet 110. The sleeve 120 may be untreated or treated such that it can be purely made of the sleeve 120 material or can be a composite and include additional constituents.

The woven strands 118 of the sleeve 120 provide considerable durability while relatively freely allowing the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink. However, when an epoxy resin is applied, the strands 118 are locked into place relative to each other, making the sleeve 120 stiff and eliminating the ability of the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink. Through great effort and experimentation the inventors have discovered that there are ways to treat the sleeve 120 such that it becomes a composite while retaining the ability to expand or grow and tighten or shrink relatively freely while also achieving even greater durability. The ways of achieving this with coatings has been detailed above with reference to wallet 10 and is additionally being disclosed as applicable to wallet 110.

Referring now to the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the wallet 110 is shown from a side view. The sleeve 120 of the wallet 110 having a first end 114 which surrounds a second end 116, the sleeve 120 having a bottom portion 122 at the bottom of the wallet 110. The sleeve 120 being formed of a plurality of strands 118.

Referring now to the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the wallet 110 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The sleeve 120 of the wallet 110 can initially be folded so that a first sleeve termination 126 and the second sleeve termination 128 initially extend parallel to one another. The initial folding forms the first end 114. One of the first sleeve termination 126 and the second sleeve termination 128 can extend further than the other. In a preferred embodiment the second sleeve termination 128 initially extends further than the first sleeve termination 126, however, the first sleeve termination 126 can initially extend further than the second sleeve termination 128 if desired by a manufacturer of the wallet 110. The sleeve 120 can be further folded such that the first end 114 forms an upper portion of the wallet 110 and a bottom portion 122 is formed, where the bottom portion 122 forms the bottom of the wallet 110. The second sleeve termination 128 can be folded over and into the first sleeve termination 126 to form the second end 116. The bottom portion 122 forms an opening that can be closed by sewing, gluing, riveting, adhering or otherwise attaching at attachment portion 130 of the bottom portion 122. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom portion 122 can remain unattached to receive cash such as a dollar bill that has been folded twice into the bottom portion 122.

The advantages of the second embodiment include, without limitation, the ability of the sleeve 120 of the wallet 110 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how many cards and how much money is added or removed. The wallet 110 can thus be slim or fat depending on how many cards or how much money is added or removed. The ability of the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink provides a sleeker and a more classy look to the wallet 110. The slimness of the wallet 110 also helps to reduce back problems for users who place the wallet 110 in a back pocket (not shown) while also making it easier to place the wallet 110 in a front pocket or a shirt pocket (not shown). The wallet 110 also provides for a simplified construction that does not require sewing but rather can be achieved through the use of adhesives, resins, glues, multi-purpose rubber coatings, rivets, and other ways for attaching the components of the wallet 110. The construction of the wallet 110 can specifically exclude the sewing or stitching of any part of the wallet 110.

The ability of the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink can be achieved without the use of elastic or the stretching of the strands 118. In particular, materials such as carbon fiber and para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR have an elongation at break of below 4% while polyester has an elongation at break of below 25%. For example, strands of para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR 29 will have an elongation at break of 3.6% with a breaking strength of 76 pounds. Strands of para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR 49 will have an elongation at break ratio of 2.4% with a breaking strength of 59.3 pounds. The sleeve 120 when made of a para-aramid synthetic fiber such as KEVLAR can expand or grow and tighten or shrink over a diameter range of about 1 inch or less to about 2.75 inches or more when initially formed as a sleeve having a diameter of 1.5 inches, thus its diameter can increase or decrease by about 50% from the original diamater. This functionality can be achieved through the braided biaxial nature of the sleeve 120 of woven strands 118 which allows the sleeve 120 to expand or grow and tighten or shrink because of the ability of the strands 118 to reorient relative to each other. This functionality can be achieved without stretching the strands 118.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a carrying device formed of a sleeve that can contain cards or money. The carrying device can expand or grow and tighten or shrink depending on how much is added or removed.

Embodiment 1

A wallet, the wallet comprising: one or more layers of composite, the one or more layers of composite comprising a plurality of woven strands of carbon fiber bonded together by a resin, the woven strands comprising a twill weave pattern, the one or more layers of composite comprising a width within a range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches, the one or more layers of composite comprising a length within a range of 2 inches and 5 inches, and the one or more layers of composite comprising a thickness within a range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches. The wallet further comprising one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end that surrounds a portion of the one or more layers of composite, a bottom portion that forms a bottom of the wallet, and a second end that can be positioned inside the one or more sleeves. The one or more sleeves are formed from at least one of the following: carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, plastic, polyester, and nylon. The one or more sleeves can comprise strands forming a biaxial braided weave, the biaxial braided weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink.

Embodiment 2

A wallet, the wallet comprising: one or more layers of composite or veneer, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a width within a range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a length within a range of 2 inches and 5 inches, and the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a thickness within a range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches. The wallet further comprising one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end that surrounds a portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer, a bottom portion that forms a bottom of the wallet, and a second end that can be positioned inside the one or more sleeves. The one or more sleeves can comprise strands forming a weave, the weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink.

Embodiment 3

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite comprises a plurality of woven strands of carbon fiber bonded together by a resin.

Embodiment 4

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite comprises a plurality of woven strands of carbon fiber and a plurality of woven strands of para-aramid synthetic fiber bonded together by a resin.

Embodiment 5

The wallet of one of Embodiments 3 or 4, wherein the woven strands of the one or more layers of composite comprises a twill weave pattern.

Embodiment 6

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite are formed from at least one of the following: carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, metal, plastic, polyester, and nylon.

Embodiment 7

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more sleeves are formed from at least one of the following: carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, plastic, polyester, and nylon.

Embodiment 8

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the weave of the one or more sleeves comprises a biaxial braided weave.

Embodiment 9

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the weave of the one or more sleeves comprises a twill weave pattern.

Embodiment 10

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the strands of the one or more sleeves comprises a thickness selected from at least one of the following: 1K, 3K, 6K, and 12K.

Embodiment 11

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite or veneer comprises two layers of composite or veneer, a top portion of the two layers of composite or veneer being attached, and a lower portion of the two layers of composite or veneer being detached and capable of opening to receive the second end of the one or more sleeves therein.

Embodiment 12

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the bottom portion of the one or more sleeves is formed by having the one or more sleeves folded into a U-turn.

Embodiment 13

The wallet of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more sleeves are treated with a mixture such that the one or more sleeves are formed into a composite while retaining the ability to expand or grow and tighten or shrink.

Embodiment 14

The wallet of Embodiment 13, wherein the mixture comprises a combination of a flexible adhesive and a thinning agent.

Embodiment 15

The wallet of Embodiment 13, wherein the mixture comprises a combination of a multi-purpose rubber coating and a thinning agent.

Embodiment 16

A method for forming a wallet, the method comprising the steps of: providing one or more layers of composite or veneer, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a width within a range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a length within a range of 2 inches and 5 inches, and the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a thickness within a range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches. Additionally providing one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end capable of surrounding a portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer, the one or more sleeves being capable of forming a bottom portion that can form a bottom of the wallet, and a second end capable of being positioned inside the sleeve. The one or more sleeves can comprise strands forming a weave, the weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink. Attaching the one or more sleeves to the one or more layers of composite or veneer.

Embodiment 17

A wallet, the wallet comprising one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end formed as a folded portion of the one or more sleeves and a second end formed as a folded portion of the one or more sleeves. Wherein the second end is formed from a portion of the sleeve extending within a portion of the sleeve forming the first end. Wherein a bottom portion formed as a folded portion of the one or more sleeves forms a bottom of the wallet. The one or more sleeves can comprise strands forming a weave, the weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink, wherein the one or more sleeves expand or grow and tighten or shrink without stretching the strands.

Embodiment 18

A wallet, the wallet comprising: a sleeve formed of braided fibers, wherein the sleeve expands and shrinks by a change in the orientation of the braided fibers.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 

1. A wallet, the wallet comprising: one or more layers of composite, the one or more layers of composite comprising a plurality of woven strands of carbon fiber bonded together by a resin, the woven strands comprising a twill weave pattern, the one or more layers of composite comprising a width within a range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches, the one or more layers of composite comprising a length within a range of 2 inches and 5 inches, and the one or more layers of composite comprising a thickness within a range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches; wherein the wallet further comprises one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end that surrounds a portion of the one or more layers of composite, a bottom portion that forms a bottom of the wallet, and a second end that can be positioned inside the one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves are formed from at least one of the following: carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, plastic, polyester, and nylon, the one or more sleeves comprising strands forming a biaxial braided weave, the biaxial braided weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink.
 2. A wallet, the wallet comprising: one or more layers of composite or veneer, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a width within a range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a length within a range of 2 inches and 5 inches, and the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a thickness within a range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches; the wallet further comprising one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end that surrounds a portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer, a bottom portion that forms a bottom of the wallet, and a second end that can be positioned inside the one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves comprising strands forming a weave, the weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink.
 3. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite comprises a plurality of woven strands of carbon fiber bonded together by a resin.
 4. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite comprises a plurality of woven strands of carbon fiber and a plurality of woven strands of para-aramid synthetic fiber bonded together by a resin.
 5. The wallet of claim 3, wherein the woven strands of the one or more layers of composite comprises a twill weave pattern.
 6. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite or veneer are formed from at least one of the following: carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, metal, plastic, polyester, and nylon.
 7. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the one or more sleeves are formed from at least one of the following: carbon fiber, para-aramid synthetic fiber, aramid fiber, cotton fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, rubber, elastic, plastic, polyester, and nylon.
 8. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the weave of the one or more sleeves comprises a biaxial braided weave.
 9. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the weave of the one or more sleeves comprises a twill weave pattern.
 10. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the strands of the one or more sleeves comprises a thickness selected from at least one of the following: 1K, 3K, 6K, and 12K.
 11. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the one or more layers of composite or veneer comprises two layers of composite or veneer, a top portion of the two layers of composite or veneer being attached, and a lower portion of the two layers of composite or veneer being detached and capable of opening to receive the second end of the one or more sleeves therein.
 12. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the bottom portion of the one or more sleeves is formed by having the one or more sleeves folded into a U-turn.
 13. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the one or more sleeves are treated with a mixture such that the one or more sleeves are formed into a composite while retaining the ability to expand or grow and tighten or shrink.
 14. The wallet of claim 13, wherein the mixture comprises a combination of a flexible adhesive and a thinning agent.
 15. The wallet of claim 13, wherein the mixture comprises a combination of a multi-purpose rubber coating and a thinning agent.
 16. A method for forming a wallet, the method comprising the steps of: providing one or more layers of composite or veneer, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a width within a range of 1.625 inches and 2.625 inches, the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a length within a range of range of 2 inches and 5 inches, and the one or more layers of composite or veneer having a thickness within a range of 0.005 inches and 0.1 inches; providing one or more sleeves, the one or more sleeves having a first end capable of surrounding a portion of the one or more layers of composite or veneer, the one or more sleeves being capable of forming a bottom portion that can form a bottom of the wallet, and a second end capable of being positioned inside the sleeve, the one or more sleeves comprising strands forming a weave, the weave of the strands allowing the one or more sleeves to expand or grow and tighten or shrink; and attaching the one or more sleeves to the one or more layers of composite or veneer. 